According to a report by Punch Friday, September 5, 2025, former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed his defeat in the 2015 general election to betrayal from members of his political circle.
Jonathan, who was seeking a second term in office, lost the presidential race to Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the candidate of the then-emerging All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the time, Jonathan surprised many Nigerians by conceding defeat before the official results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He personally called Buhari to congratulate him on his victory, a gesture that was widely regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Later, Jonathan explained that his decision to concede was motivated by a desire to prevent post-election violence and bloodshed in the country.
Reflecting on the 2015 episode on Thursday, Jonathan revisited the circumstances of his electoral loss during the 70th birthday celebration of former Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe.
Ogiadomhe, who also served as Jonathan’s Chief of Staff during his presidency, was praised by Jonathan for his loyalty—a quality the former leader said was rare in Nigerian politics.
Speaking at the event in Benin City, Edo State, Jonathan described Ogiadomhe as one of the very few allies who had remained steadfast both during and after his presidency.
He contrasted Ogiadomhe’s loyalty with what he referred to as the culture of betrayal that characterizes Nigeria’s political environment.
The former president stated: “I became President, then post-Presidency, one of the few friends who would give up their necks for me is Mike. You know politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals.”
Jonathan went further to stress how difficult it is to find trustworthy allies in politics, remarking on the inconsistency of many politicians.
“You find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and in the evening. I’ve witnessed a lot of betrayals, especially in my 2015 elections, and Mike is somebody who would take a bullet on my behalf,” he said.
Jonathan’s remarks at the occasion underscored his continuing reflections on the 2015 election, which marked the first time in Nigeria’s history that an incumbent president lost a bid for re-election.
His acknowledgment of betrayal points to the internal fractures and political maneuvering that may have weakened his campaign at the time.
While praising Ogiadomhe for his steadfastness, Jonathan also highlighted the broader challenges of trust and loyalty within Nigeria’s political space.
His comments served both as a tribute to Ogiadomhe’s personal loyalty and as a broader commentary on the nature of political relationships in the country.
For many observers, Jonathan’s decision to concede in 2015 remains one of his most significant legacies.
However, his latest remarks suggest that the defeat continues to weigh on him, particularly the sense of betrayal from those he once considered close allies.
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